Partial Correlation Response

Give a plausible example of a three-variable research problem in which partial correlation would be a useful analysis. Define X1, X2, and Y. Make sure that you indicate which of your three variables is the "controlled for" variable ( X2). What results might you expect to obtain for this partial correlation, and how would you interpret your results (e.g., spurious correlation, mediation, moderation, and so on)?

Below is my plausible example:

As an instructor for adult learners, I would like to understand student anxiety in relation to test taking.  In other words, do anxiety levels (X1) predict performance on a test (Y) while statistically controlling for the age of the student?  The predictor variable (X1) is the number of anxiety symptoms observed prior to taking the test (ratio scale of measurement) (Warner, 2013).  The controlled for variable (X2) is the age of the student (ratio scale of measurement).  The outcome variable (Y) is the student scores on a test (ratio scale of measurement).   The expected outcome is that the higher the anxiety symptoms observed correlates with lower scores on the test, with age moderating the effects that anxiety has on test performance.  The age of the students X2 is the moderating variable, suggesting that the slope that predicts Y from X1 differs depending on the student’s age.  I expect older adults to experience higher anxiety regarding test-taking, leading to lower test scores compared to younger adults.  (Warner, 2013)

References

Warner, R. M. (2013). Applied statistics: From bivariate through multivariate techniques (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN: 9781412991346.

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